New instrument -- a Modular Fiddle

[David Perry]

Hey all,

I'm in the process of designing a new printed violin! The intention is to make it modular and easily exchangeable. As it is now, you can change out the bout part in a few minutes. Just loosen the strings, pop off the tailpiece, pull the bout off, and put a new one on. Pretty cool.

I've been reading up on acoustic theory and research for string instruments. For 3D printed violins there is just so much experimentation to be done! I couldn't decide what exactly I wanted my next Fiddle to be, so I thought, shoot, why not make something that can go in a bunch of different directions? I have plans to use Autodesk's generative design capability, to make a travel instrument, to make the best acoustic I can print, and to make a new electric. 

Stay tuned. You can keep an eye on the development on the Fusion 360 group (message or email me with the email you used to make your Autodesk account to join). I'll be posting pictures and video on instagram @dsp39.

-David

[David Perry]

Hi all,

The Modular Fiddle is ready for primetime. I hope you'll build one! They're pretty great. Hear it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sXDPzzKffs

All the project files are available on my website. 

I'm selling kits and complete builds:

• Printed Parts Kit $225 
• Includes 3D printed Bridge, Pegbox, Neck, and Body parts
• You will need to purchase off-the-shelf parts locally or online (see bill of materials here)
• Complete Kit $375
• Includes 3D printed parts and off-the-shelf violin parts 
• Everything you need to build a Modular Fiddle
• Does not include a shoulder rest, bow, or case
• Fully built Modular Fiddle $550
• This is a complete Modular Fiddle built by me and ready to play
• Does not include a shoulder rest, bow, or case

Best,

David

[Rick Extrordinaire]

Seems to have significant difference between the different models. What differences were there in settings or filaments?

[David Perry]

Hey Rick -- good question! Two of the 3D printed violins are Modular Fiddles. One with a green body and one with a red body. Both are using the same filaments and same print settings, but the instrument with the red body is using a different bridge, one that's designed using Autodesk Generative Design. 

There's another youtube video where I talk about the instruments, and where each is played separately. Check it out here. 

[Rick Extrordinaire]

I am really wondering if it would be useful to do the face of the body in CF while the rest of the whole thing can be done in whatever. 

[Dobieag]

I’m working on a 1/4 size neck for my son since the body of the modular violin is about the same size as the 1/4 size violin. I’m a bit nervous about the strength of it since there’s not as much room for the carbon fiber rod that goes through the neck. Any suggestions on analyzing whether it can support the weight or just print it and try it out?

Mark

[David Perry]

Mark -- That's awesome that you're making a 1/4 size Neck! 

I usually like to just print things and try them. The main effect that you will need to counter is not necessarily the strength of the Neck, but instead the propensity of the Neck to creep over time. Plastics creep, and PLA creeps a LOT. You can reduce this effect by using ProtoPasta's HTPLA and annealing it, but even then it may still require a truss rod. 

Let us know what you find out!

On Tue, Feb 12, 2019 at 7:29 PM Dobieag <dobi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I’m working on a 1/4 size neck for my son since the body of the modular violin is about the same size as the 1/4 size violin. I’m a bit nervous about the strength of it since there’s not as much room for the carbon fiber rod that goes through the neck. Any suggestions on analyzing whether it can support the weight or just print it and try it out?

Mark

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[John Bain]

sorry to dig up an old message, @dobieag. Were you successful in developing your 1/4 size neck. If so could you share your model/stl ?

Thanks

John